St. Landry democrat., 1887-01-22

scorn. II was thinking a good while
in the woods to-day, coming from thu
post-office, and I've made up my mine
never to get married"
you'll turn around often enough
before the time comes"
II never WILL" emphasized Beetrus
"We'n be two nice old ladies together
ma, and neither of US will get married. ri
II won't, for sure thing" laughed
her mother. "But you'll only be mid
dle-aged when I'm ready to totter."
eyes, that's so," said Beetrus, sadly.
"And then if one would die and leave
the other
"Now, now, don't you fret, lovey.
I've had considerable trouble and ex-
perience, and if don't sigh round, you
needn't. Who's that nice-looking man
that keeps looking back this way?'
Beetrus had been facing down river,
with her mind completely closed to any
moving figures on deck. She looked
back over her shoulder.
"Why, it's''-she exclaimed, swal-
lowing her breath with a gasp-'.its
Mr.. Poundstone."
THAT correspondent of yours?" said
Mrs. Jenkins, nodding her head, and
inspecting him sincerely with such
thoroughness as intervening barrels
permitted.
Beetrus ears rang. She had, how.
ever, that instructive Western courage
which sometimes takes the place of dis
ciplined self-control; so by no other clew
than the deepening fire of her cheeks
and eyes did she give Mr.. Poundstone
any knowledge of the disturbance he
brought her when he climbed passage
over impediments and placed himself
in the party. His manner was subdued,
even becomingly humble and concili.
atory.
"Ma, this is Mr.. Poundstone,' said
Beetrus, secretly triumphant in being
free from the subseryience which yes
terday would have made her say: '.Mrs
Poundstone, this is my MOTHER
She did not add to her unconsidered
now, but allowed him to lift
his hat and bow over her mothers
hand.
I'm glad to meet you, Mrs. Jenk,
ms" said he. 81 want to make friends
with you, and get you to convince your
laughter I'm not such bad fellow as
ook'
"You don't look like a bad fellow"
she responded, heartily.
81 didn't know you were going up on
he boat said Beetrus, regarding with
gentle Indifference the brim of his hat,
after he replaced it.
"You know I couldn't go off on the
rain and leave matters in the shape
hey are. | never sold bill of goods
n New Harmony in my life. but I'm
soing to try to make a satisfactory
rade for myself now, if the house turns
ne off for it,
Beetrus parted her lips, smiling, and
his time met him in the eyes. Without
formulating the fact, she knew there
vas sterling man under the crust of
Icquired coarseness. The brutal plan
lie had formed concerning her, and
which he was now scarcely willing to
acknowledge to himself, began to with
RAW from betwixt them like the mist
which already wavered on the hills.
Il believe it will be clear day to-
morrow, said the girl, falling back
Ipon good commonplace.
do You believe it will be a clear day
Mrs. Jenkins?" inquired
tombstone.
"Well, it seems like it might be
retty," responded the widow, turning
p her face to see the pinkness reflected
rom the west.
Then I believe it will, too,' said the
commercial traveller, with deyout
If, which was unmoved by Beetrus's
aughing out:
"a great deal prettier and clearer
han to-day has BEEN III. Il. Gather
1ood, IN Harper's Bazar.
~ A